The educational system has changed as far as higher education is concerned. Indian educated youth lot is being sought out by the world as they are well qualified. Though the education system has improved but still there is scope for institutions of learning to integrate analytical skills, logical and rational thinking, creativity, decision making, divergent thinking and ability to excel in their chosen walk of life. Higher Education plays an important role in contribution to the economic development, social progress and political democracy of the country. Creation of knowledge society is the only way to meet the challenge of globalization.

The government is aware of the need to strengthen the higher education system to face the challenges of the future. It focus on areas like increasing access to knowledge for public benefit, develop new concept of higher education, rejuvenate science and technology institutions, enable application of knowledge by industry to enhance manufacturing competitiveness and encourage intensive use of knowledge.

Under graduate education accounts for 85 per cent of the enrolled students, is the largest component of the higher education. The levels of performance and academic excellence in the colleges vary. A few colleges are nationally and internationally renowned, while the majority of colleges unfortunately do not have adequate infrastructure or libraries worth the name. In the reconstruction of undergraduate colleges, it is to be understood that the present system of affiliated colleges is not fully adequate or appropriate and needs are to be reformed. There is the need of providing autonomy to colleges either as individual colleges or cluster of colleges, on the basis of defined criteria. Further, some of the affiliated colleges could be remodeled as community colleges, which would provide both vocational education and formal education. A separate Board of Undergraduate Education along with State Board of undergraduate Education, which would set curricula and community colleges, which would provide both vocational education and formal education should be formalized. These Boards would separate the academic func-tions from the administrative functions, and at the same time provide quality bench marks. The community colleges could be established new or by converting some of the existing ones with vocational focus on alternate access to those who have graduated from the schools but failed to get into formal system for various reasons including eligibility. These colleges can provide adult and continuing education and short term diplomas to upgrade the skills of the already employed.

Our colleges should be organic whole to stand alone and independent entities with degree awarding power. We must trust the credibility of our colleges. The National knowledge commission should look into the matter. No college can stand alone and grant the degrees. In a world where the pace of change is so fast, the ability of the youth is the only thing that will help them to constantly learn and acquire new skills and capabilities which will help them to be employable and make an identity for themselves and not just living.